Maryland wind energy company gets approval for major offshore wind project
BALTIMORE -- The Maryland-based energy company U.S. Wind received approval for a major offshore wind project off the coast of Ocean City, the company said in a statement Wednesday.
The Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) signed off on U.S. Wind's Construction and Operations Plan (COP), which is the final step in getting a federal permit to begin construction. This is the last step for BOEM, the lead agency on the project.
"Developing anything in the ocean takes a while to get to this point," Nancy Sopko, vice president of external affairs for U.S. Wind, told WJZ. "We're happy to be at a place where we have finally secured this major federal permit from the lead federal agency."
That construction will include up to 114 wind turbines, which are expected to generate up to 2 gigawatts ("GW") of offshore wind power and power more than 718,000 homes in the region.
The project also includes up to four offshore export cables that run from the lease area to the shore, a meteorological tower, and offshore export cable corridors. U.S Wind says this will help supply the ever-growing demand in the energy industry.
"There's a lot of wind in the ocean, especially in our region, and it's close to population centers that need it most," Sopko said.
U.S. Wind, which was founded in 2011, acquired the 80,000-acre federal lease area where the construction is slated to occur. One of its principal owners is Italian-based Renexia SpA.
Another national offshore wind project
This is the 10th commercial-scale offshore wind project to be approved nationwide.
U.S. Wind says it secured the 8.7 nautical mile territory via an auction in 2014. In the decade since, there has been rigorous planning in the permit process.
The company also plans to establish a new production facility, Sparrows Point Steel, at the former site of Bethlehem Steel in Baltimore County.
Steel produced at the new plant will be used for components needed to service the company's offshore wind projects on the East Coast.
Lawmakers express concerns
Several lawmakers on the Eastern Shore have expressed concerns and frustration about the project, including Ocean City Mayor Rick Meehan.
The town says it hired a consultant to share its concerns with the BOEM and the developer but felt the concerns fell on deaf ears.
Meehan says he is concerned about the project's impact on tourism and the local viewshed. He fears it will significantly impact or eliminate the commercial fishing industry in Ocean City and will burden taxpayers who may need to incur a wind tax.
"We're concerned about the carbon footprint. We're concerned about our environment, but we don't think a bad project is the answer," Meehan said. "There are so many things about this project that have just not been vetted properly."
Rep. Andy Harris, who represents this area, issued a critical statement on Monday, saying foreign companies should not control U.S. energy.
"Offshore wind farms benefit foreign companies - not the residents of Maryland's First District who have already seen increases in their electric rates thanks to the failed energy policies of the Biden Administration," Harris said. "We should never allow foreign-owned companies to control our energy supply—much less harm our marine life while doing it. I look forward to working with President Trump to end all offshore wind development when he is back in office."
Next steps
U.S. Wind says it needs to secure several other federal and state permits before any construction begins. Onshore construction will begin in 2026. The goal is to complete phase one of the project, which includes installing wind turbines in the furthest corner of the allocated ocean space, by the end of 2028, according to U.S. Wind.
